5th-year Senior Becoming Big-play Threat For Tribe

WILLIAMSBURG — For the first time since Jimmye Laycock became the coach, William and Mary's passing game lacks a true `big-play' performer at wide receiver this year.

Considering the way the Indians have thrived under the passing offense in recent years, the idea of not having a go-to guy is roughly equal to some pretty unusual thoughts: a hot fudge sundae without the hot fudge, salt without pepper and bacon without eggs.

The line of quality receivers goes as far back as Kurt Wrigley. Then came Jeff Sanders, Mike Sutton, Glen Bodnar, Ron Gillam, Michael Clemons, Dave Szydlik and Harry Mehre. It is a long and distinguished group.

But while the Indians lack that one clutch guy at this point of 1989, they are trying to develop another receiver in that mold. One of the most promising is fifth-year senior Chris Hogarth.

Hogarth made some big contributions to the Indians' 17-13 season-opening win over Colgate last Saturday: he caught a 45 yard pass in the second quarter to set up W&M's first touchdown, then hauled in a 31-yard reception late in the fourth period to set up the Tribe's winning score.

But Hogarth's day was not without its faults. On his first reception he ran a technically-incorrect pass pattern. Then on his second catch he might have scored but he ran into teammate Ray Kingsfield and went down on the five.

The fact that W&M scored two plays later did not soften the good-natured ribbing Hogarth took for his error.

"My mother was my worst critic," said Hogarth. "She said she couldn't believe I would run into my own guy. She always said she had thought the idea in football was to run away from tacklers, not get hit by one of your own guys."

Even W&M coach Jimmye Laycock couldn't resist a shot at Hogarth.

"Chris played a really good game for us," said Laycock. "He caught a pass when he ran the wrong route, then he managed not to score on the other pass he caught. It was pretty impressive."

Hogarth took it all in stride. The senior from Lancaster, Pa. has waited patiently for a turn to play and nothing could reduce the satisfaction he felt Saturday.

"I've learned a lot watching guys like Mehre and Szydlik work the past two years," said Hogarth. "I'm just happy to have the chance to play and happy to be able to produce.

"The receivers this year don't have that one big name player. But we have a group that is pretty even and we all feel like we can contribute to the success of the team."

Hogarth, Kingsfield, Mark Compher, tight end Matt Shiffler and running backs Robert Green and Alan Williams managed to share the wealth well against Colgate. No player caught more than three balls but each had at least one catch.

Hogarth has the most receiving yards on the team and the highest yards-per-catch average at this point. It is a far cry from his 1988 totals when he was a reserve flanker and caught just six passes.

In his defense, Hogarth points out that his reception on a play when he supposedly ran the wrong way was not really an incorrect route.

"We watched the films and coach said the play was designed for me to cut in front of the defender," said Hogarth. "I went around him instead of cutting in front of him, and I guess I should have followed the pattern. But we still completed the pass."